Simulated soccer game apparatus

ABSTRACT

A soccer game which employs a substantially planer playing surface within which are formed a plurality of spaced apart recesses. A goal section is located at each longitudinal end of the playing surface and each goal section is protected by a playing member which is movable thereacross. A spherical playing object is adapted to be locatable upon the playing surface. Each recess is constructed so that the playing object is caused to be positioned at the lowest part of each recess. The lowest part of each recess is located just forward of a playing member which is locatable within each said recess. The playing member is movable between a retracted position and an extended position to cause propelling of the playing object. The playing members are selectively actuatable by means of an actuating means connected at each end of the playing surface.

United States Patent [191 Santos, Sr.

[ SIMULATED SOCCER GAME APPARATUS [76] Inventor: Astrogildo Santos, Sr., 20301 Cantara St., Canoga Park, Calif. 91306 22 Filed: Dec. 9, 1974 21 Appl. No.: 530,689

[4 Nov. 18, 1975 Pfifllfll) Examiner-Richard C Pinkham Assistant Examiner-Harry G. Strappello Attorney, Agent. or Firm-Victor Sepulveda ABSTRACT A soccer game which employs a substantially planer playing surface within which are formed a plurality of spaced apart recesses. A goal section is located at each longitudinal end of the playing surface and each goal section is protected by a playing member which is movable thereacross. A spherical playing object is adapted to be locatable upon the playing surface. Each recess is constructed so that the playing object is caused to be positioned at the lowest part of each recess. The lowest part of each recess is located just forward of a playing member which is locatable within each said recess. The playing member is movable between a retracted position and an extended position to cause propelling of the playing object. The playing members are selectively actuatable by means of an actuating means connected at each end of the playing surface.

l Claim, 5 Drawing Figures [52] [1.8. CI. 273/85 F; 273/85 A [51] Int. Cl. A63F 7/06 [58} Field of Search 273/85 ['56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3240x195 3/1966 Ek 273/85 F FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 641.719 8/1950 United Kingdom 273/85 E l O20.lS7 ll/l952 France 273/85 A 829,526 4/l938 France 273/85 E 507,500 6/[939 United Kingdom 85 E/ l.l()6,9l0 7/1955 France 85 F/ 459189 8/1950 ltaly 273/85 E /46 [2O MX |G\ 54 e4--i Q) I ss- I 44--\ llfl tow a9 t t M a mm on U.S. Patent Nov. 18, 1975 Sheet 2 of2 3,920,243

SIMULATED SOCCER GAME APPARATUS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The field of this invention relates to games and more particularly to a game which is played similar to soccer but employs a spherical playing object.

In order for a game to be interesting, it is generally reccommended that the game be a mixture of chance and skill. Many of the games of the prior art do not have a satisfactory mixture of chance and skill, and as a result, such games do not hold players interest. It is the primary objective of this invention to construct a game which will maintain a persons interest for a substantial period of time and not only requires skill to play the game but also employs a certain element of chance.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. I is a plan view of the game apparatus of this invention;

FIG. 2 is a cross sectional view taken along 22 of FIG. 1 showing in more detail the goal sections incorporated within the game of this invention;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along 33 of FIG. 1 showing in more detail a playing member and its connecting actuating means;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 3, but showing the actuating means being activated causing the playing member to move from a retracted position to an extended position; and

FIG. 5 is a bottom view of the game apparatus of this invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE SHOWN EMBODIMENT Referring particularly to the drawings, there is shown the game of this invention which includes a playing board 12 of rectangular shape, however, the shape of the board is deemed to be a choice.

Formed within the upper surface of the game board 12 are a plurality of spaced apart recesses 14. The recesses I4 are basically elliptical in configuration and are strategically placed about the playing board in a certain manner so as to facilitate the playing of the game. Also, the recesses are positioned at different angles with respect to one another. The location of the recesses and the positioning of the angular relationship takes into account the propelling of the playing object so as to facilitate scoring. Additionally, some recesses are positioned to act in a partially defensive manner.

The playing surface 12 includes at each end thereof a gold section denoted by references numerals l6 and 18. Each of the goal sections 16 and 18 are attached to the playing surface 12 and extend upwardly therefrom and include a closed back wall and side walls that extend therefrom. Each goal section 16 and 18 is open in the front.

The playing surface 12 will be constructed of rigid material such as wood, plastic or the like. The same is true for the goals 16 and 18.

Located within the playing surface within each recess 14 (centrally disposed within the recess) is a longitudinal slot 20. There is a slot 20 within each recess 14. A playing member 22 is connected to a wire actuating rod 24 with each member 22 being connected to a separate actuating rod 24. Each actuating rod 24 extends through its respective slot within its respective recess with the playing member 22 positioned just above the playing surface 12 in the area of the recess I4. The actuating rods 24 extend along the underside of the playing surface 12 to either the fore end 23 or the aft end 25 of the playing surface 12. The purpose of each actuating rod 24 is to cause movement of its respective playing member 22 with the direction of movement being defined by its respective slot 20 with the limits of movement being defined by the ends of the slots 20. The playing member will normally rest in a retracted position such as shown in FIG. 3 and upon actuation will be moved to the extended position shown in FIG. 4.

Guide brackets 26 are normally employed to provide a lower support for each of the actuating rods 24 at their extended position. The guide brackets 26 may comprise a large bracket or may comprise a small bracket. The large bracket is used when there is a substantial sideways movement of the actuating rod 24. Each of the guide brackets 26 are secured by appropriate fastening means to the underside of the playing surface 12.

Each actuating rod 24 is pivotally connected to a plate 28. Each plate 28 has secured thereto a pivot pin 4 30 with the pivot pin 30 being pivotally mounted within an upright member 32. There is to be an upright member 32 located at the fore end 23 and the aft end 25. The upright member 32 is actually an elongated length of rigid material such as wood, which has formed therein a series of slots 34. Within each of the slots 34 is positioned a plate 28 with its respective pin 30 being mounted for pivotal movement in respect to the side walls of the slot 34. A coiled spring 36 is attached to the upright member 32 and also to the plate 28. There is to be a separate spring 36 for each plate 28. The spring 36 functions to exert a continuous bias on the plate 28 tending to place the playing member 22 in the retracted position such as shown in FIG. 3.

An actuating plunger 38 is pivotally mounted to the plate 28 and terminates at its upper end and a handle 40. There is to be a separate actuating plunger 38 for each plate 28. Each actuating plunger 38 extends through an opening 42 formed within an end wall 44 located at both the fore end 23 and the aft end 25. The end wall 44 is formed of a rigid material such as wood or plastic and is secured to inner upstanding walls 46 and 48 which form the fore and aft limits of the playing surface 12. The end walls 44 are also secured to an outer side wall 50, which extends entirely around the game apparatus of this invention.

It is to be noted that there are ten in number of handles 40 and plungers 38 for both the fore end 23 and aft end 25. In order words there are a total of twenty. This means that there are 10 playing members 22 for each side of play. It is to be noted that from FIG. I of the drawings that the playing members of the different sides are color coded different colors.

Each upright member 32 is secured at its longitudinal ends to the inside of the sidewall 50. Also it is to be noted that each upright member 32 will include rubber feet 52 at its lower end thereof to facilitate supporting the entire structure upon a table or other supporting surface without maring such.

Located in front of the goal section 16 is a goal member 54. In a similar manner a goal member 56 is mounted in front of the goal section 18. The goal me mber 56 is attached to an actuating rod 58 which extends through the back wall section 18 through an opening 60 formed within the inner wall 48 through a guide member 62 which is attached to the underside of the end wall 44 and through an opening 64 formed within the end wall 44 and connects with a handle 66. It is to be noted that the goal section 54 is to be connected in a similar manner to an actuating rod 58 and extend through a guide 62 which is attached to its respective end wall 44 and in its turn is secured to a handle 66. The opening 64 for each goal section is elongated and defines limits of movement of the actuating rod 58. Each actuating rod 58 is connected through a pivot pin 68 through its guide 62. Therefore, by moving the handle 66 back and forth the goal member 54 and 56 can be moved across its respective goal l6 and 18 to block any shots into its respective goal. The playing of the game of this invention employs the use of a spherical playing object 70 which will normally be a hard ball such as a marble, a steel ball or the like.

The playing of the game of this invention is as follows: One player stands adjacent to fore section 23 with the second player standing adjacent to the aft section 25. The playing object is dropped in approximately the center of the playing surface 12 which then comes to rest within a given recess just forward of its playing member. The player then activates the respective plunger 38 for that particular playing member by pushing down on the appropriate handle 40. This causes the plate 28 to be pivoted causing longitudinal movement of its respective actuating rod 44 and similar longitudinal movement of the playing member 22. This in turn will cause propelling of the playing object 70 in a given direction defined by the direction of the slot 20. This will cause the playing object 70 to come to rest within a further recess 14 and the procedure is again repeated until one of the players scores a goal by propelling the playing object 70 through and into his opponents goal past his opponents goal member 54 and 56. Once a goal is scored, the ball is then replaced near the center of the playing surface within one of the recesses of the player upon which the goal has been scored.

The game can be played for a given period of time or it can be played until one player achieves a particular score.

Having thus described but one preferred embodiment of this invention. what is claimed is:

1. Game apparatus comprising:

a housing;

a playing surface formed upon said housing having a goal section located at each longitudinal end of said surface;

a plurality of spaced apart recesses formed within said playing surface, there being a predetermined number of said recesses located in precise locations about said surface;

a playing member positioned in each said recess,

each said playing member being movable with respect to said playing surface between a retracted position and an extended position;

an actuating means mounted on said housing and connected to each said playing member with there being an actuating means for each said member, said actuating means being manually aetuatable to cause movement of its respective playing member, a first plurality of said actuating means mounted at one end of said longitudinal playing surface with the second plurality of said actuating means mounted at the other end of said longitudinal playing surface;

a spherical playing object locatable upon said playing surface, said playing object capable of coming to rest within any of said recesses;

each said actuating means including a longitudinal rod connected to a plate, said plate being pivotally mounted upon an upright member with the pivot piece being substantially centrally located with respect to said plate, said upright member being attached to said housing, a spring interconnecting the aft end of said plate and said upright member, said spring functioning to exert a continuous bias upon said plate so that said playing member is caused to be normally positioned in said retracted position, each said actuating means including a plunger pivotally connected to the fore end of said plate, said plunger to be manually depressed which causes pivoting of said plate and lineal movement of said longitudinal rod and propelling of the spherical playing object on said playing surface. 

1. Game apparatus comprising: a housing; a playing surface formed upon said housing having a goal section located at each longitudinal end of said surface; a plurality of spaced apart recesses formed within said playing surface, there being a predetermined number of said recesses located in precise locations about said surface; a playing member positioned in each said recess, each said playing member being movable with respect to said playing surface between a retracted position and an extended position; an actuating means mounted on said housing and connected to each said playing member with there being an actuating means for each said member, said actuating means being manually actuatable to cause movement of its respective playing member, a first plurality of said actuating means mounted at one end of said longitudinal playing surface with the second plurality of said actuating means mounted at the other end of said longitudinal playing surface; a spherical playing object locatable upon said playing surface, said playing object capable of coming to rest within any of said recesses; each said actuating means including a longitudinal rod connected to a plate, said plate being pivotally mounted upon an upright member with the pivot piece being substantially centrally located with respect to said plate, said upright member being attached to said housing, a spring interconnecting the aft end of said plate and said upright member, said spring functioning to exert a continuous bias upon said plate so that said playing member is caused to be normally positioned in said retracted position, each said actuating means including a plunger pivotally connected to the fore end of said plate, said plunger to be manually depressed which causes pivoting of said plate and lineal movement of said longitudinal rod and propelling of the spherical playing object on said playing surface. 